Consumption of euphausiids by harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) calves in the Bay of Fundy
- 1 August 1992
- journal article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 70 (8) , 1629-1632
- https://doi.org/10.1139/z92-225
Abstract
We compared the contents of 31 stomachs of harbour porpoise calves killed in commercial gill nets in the Bay of Fundy between July and September, 1985–1991, with the stomach contents from 149 adult animals obtained from the same source between July and September, 1988–1991. The calves' most common prey item was the euphausiid Meganyctiphanes norvegica, found in 15 stomachs, whereas the adults fed primarily on clupeid and gadid fishes. Euphausiids were also found in the stomachs of several of these fish species, and we suggest that porpoise calves take euphausiids while their mothers are feeding on other euphausiid predators.Keywords
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